#Japan #Hamamatsu #Disaster Prevention #Hamamatsu City #MetCom

MetCom and Hamamatsu City Achieve Recognition at Disaster Prevention Awards 2026

In an event celebrating cutting-edge advancements in disaster prevention, MetCom, based in Minato City, Tokyo, alongside Genetec Co., Ltd., headquartered in Shinjuku, Tokyo, has jointly received the Encouragement Prize at the Disaster Prevention and Reduction x Sustainable Award 2026. This recognition honors their innovative approach to enhancing safety during emergency situations, particularly within indoor environments.

Award Details

The award ceremony will take place on January 31, 2026, under the auspices of the Japan Sustainable Disaster Reduction Technology Association, which endorsed this initiative. The project was part of a practical experiment in Hamamatsu City, focusing on the incorporation of MetCom's vertical positioning service named Pinnacle.

Key Achievements

The initiative was pivotal in addressing the complexities faced by emergency personnel when operating in multi-level structures, where traditional GPS methods prove inadequate. By utilizing Pinnacle alongside GPS technologies, emergency responders can now accurately confirm their three-dimensional positions. This significant data not only enhances situational awareness for rescuers but also permits command centers to track multiple team members in real-time.

The Japan Sustainable Disaster Reduction Technology Association commended the project, highlighting its unique vertical positioning capabilities as a groundbreaking advancement that compensates for the limitations of conventional GPS systems. MetCom demonstrated a practical application of this vertical measurement technology, significantly aiding in the decision-making processes during emergencies.

The Role of Genetec

In this collaborative effort, Genetec has collaborated on several critical developments:

• - Smartphone Application Development: They created a smartphone application that integrates the Pinnacle service, enabling emergency personnel to measure their altitude effectively while on the move.
• - Remote Viewer Development: A web-based admin viewer was developed, allowing command headquarters to monitor the location of team members on digital maps, ensuring efficient operational management.
• - 3D City Model Implementation: Utilizing the PLATEAU 3D city model initiative led by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, they innovatively mapped positional data above conventional flat maps to enhance spatial understanding.
• - Backend Infrastructure Development: Drawing upon their experiences from the disaster response location-sharing app Cocodayo, Genetec established a robust backend capable of withstanding high traffic during emergencies.

Future Aspirations

MetCom aims to build upon the insights gained from this project, aspiring to roll out similar systems nationwide, establishing a standard for fire service and public safety across Japan. Their commitment reflects a significant step toward creating safer environments through advanced technology in disaster management.

Company Profiles

MetCom, Inc.

Founded on July 26, 2019, MetCom specializes in providing next-generation positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services, effectively overcoming the limitations of satellite systems like GPS. Their services provide high accuracy and reliability, tailored for critical applications.
Website: MetCom

Genetec Co., Ltd.

Established on July 1, 1985, Genetec focuses on delivering integrated system solutions that combine software and hardware to enhance production efficiency. They are also recognized for providing location-based applications geared towards safety and disaster response.
Website: Genetec

• ---

For additional inquiries or more information on this initiative, please reach out to:
Email: [email protected]